Werder Bremen lost the top match of the 20th match day of the season 0:2 (0:1) against FC Schalke 04 and with that relinquish top spot in the Bundesliga
Werder Bremen lost the top match of the 20th match day of the season 0:2 (0:1) against FC Schalke 04 and with that relinquish top spot in the Bundesliga
Werder Bremen lost the top match of the 20th match day of the season 0:2 (0:1) against FC Schalke 04 and with that relinquish top spot in the Bundesliga. Two goals by Peter Lövenkrands in the 20th and 74th minute saw the visitors take all three points back to Gelsenkirchen.
Werder coach Thomas Schaaf made two changes to the side which won in Leverkusen last Wednesday evening with Christian Schulz replacing the suspended Torsten Frings in the midfield and Hugo Almeida getting the nod ahead of Aaron Hunt up front. The tactical changes in the middle saw Daniel Jensen fill the defensive midfield roll, Schulz on the left, Tim Borowski, wearing the captains armband, on the right and Diego behind the two strikers.
The game started as a high tempo affair with both teams attempting to find a way through a crowded midfield resulting in most of the early play breaking down before reaching either penalty area. The first threatening strike on goal was a Christian Schulz volley which Schalke keeper Manuel Neuer had to stretch himself to the fullest to turn away for a corner.
Lövenkrands breaks the deadlock
Ten minutes later, Schalke’s Brazilian playmaker Lincoln spotted striker Peter Lövenkrands free in the box and, drifting past Per Mertesacker, supplied an inch perfect cross which the ex-Glasgow Rangers striker met with a flying volley, leaving Reinke no chance and giving the visitors the lead – 0:1.
Werder reacted well to the set back and immediately set out in search of an equaliser. The Green-Whites proved off their game and an abundance of unnecessary mistakes against an aggressive and alert Schalke, who remained extremely dangerous on the break, saw the home side struggle. The ‘Königsblauen’ (Royal Blues) appeared happy to allow Werder to come at them and then hit on the counter. Kuranyi (32’), Lövenkrands (39’) and Krstajic (42’) each had chances to extend their sides lead before the half-time whistle, whilst Werder only really broke through once. The Brazilian Diego dribbled his way past a number of Schalke players before crossing to Almeida. The Portuguese striker headed back across to the well position Klose who shot instantly but was denied by the lightening reactions of Neuer in the Schalke goal.
’Blues’ Ice-Cold on the counter
After the break the high tempo, an often extremely niggly game – both sides picking up five yellow cards a piece – continued where it had left off. The visitors appeared cool and confident, and with the lead in their favour, continued to patiently wait for counter attacking opportunities to present themselves. The ‘Königsblauen’ stood deep and often frustrated the determined Green-Whites with their clever defensive tactics.
So far as clear chances on goal, it was the away team who produced the most. Bajramovic was denied by a well positioned Reinke as he tried his luck from close range – albeit from a stunningly tight angle (50’). The Bremen keeper proved the winner again in a one-on-one with Lövenkrands (53’) and Kuranyi arrived just milliseconds too late to convert a ball which Lincoln had squared across the face of the goal (57’). The visitors also had a decent shout for a penalty turned down as Naldo appeared to tug at Kuranyi’s jersey in the box (59’).
Werder ring the changes
Thomas Schaaf decided it was time to make some changes and introduced all three substitutes together in the hope of inspiring his team with some fresh legs and ideas. Vranjes, Hunt and Rosenberg replaced the tiring Borowski, Schulz and Almeida but the new men could do little to swing the game in Bremen’s favour. Werder’s individual error quota remained astoundingly high and throughout the entire second period, a well drilled Schalke back line allowed the home team only one sight of goal. Clemens Fritz tried his luck with a drive from distance but German internationals effort proved off target and failed to test the keeper.
Instead it was a further Schalke counter attack which would finally decide the outcome. Lincoln set Kuranyi through and the recently recalled German international passed perfectly into the feet of the on rushing Lövenkrands. The Dane kept his nerve and slotted easily past Reinke from 14 meters out to make it 0:2. The game was up for Werder, who for the second time this season lost 2:0 to title challengers Schalke 04. The visitors return to Gelsenkirchen with all three points and on top of the Bundesliga but know there is still a long way to go in this season.
